Anyone can gain access to call history and other private info on iOS 4.1

Commenters
on Mac
Rumors forums are
reporting that Apple's iOS 4.1, the current software running on
the iPhone, contains a security loophole that allows anyone who knows
the easy trick to bypass the passcode entry screen and gain access to
the Phone app.

Here's
how it works: At the passcode entry screen, select "Emergency
Call." Input any number, hit "Send" and the phone's
sleep button in quick, almost simultaneous, succession. You will now
have full access to the Phone app, which includes Contacts, Call
History, Voicemail, and the Dialer. If you hit "Share Contact"
and the camera button, you will also gain access to the Photos app.
Simply hitting "Share Contact" or "Email" will
allow you to send an e-mail or MMS, Boy
Genius adds
(see
video). And that's about all you can do.

According
to The
Unofficial Apple Weblog,
the loophole doesn't exist on the beta version of iOS 4.2, so it's
possible that Apple is already aware of the problem. TUAW also
makes the common sense point that the best way to ensure the security
of your iPhone (or any other device that may contain sensitive
information) is to prevent anyone from gaining physical access.